Bessie “Bess” Pawlak Sept. 6, 1929 - Sept. 22, 2023

OXFORD - Bessie (Bess) May Pawlak, 94, was received by the Lord and entered peaceful rest on September 22, 2023. She was born September 6, 1929 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, daughter of the late Samuel and Minnie (Reaves) Olmstead. Bessie was the devoted wife of Peter Pawlak of Seymour, CT for 46 years before his passing in 1995. She and Peter were longtime residents of Seymour before Bessie relocated to Oxford where she enjoyed living for the last 10 years after the loss of her husband.

Bessie was a military wife and fortunate to have traveled throughout Europe and the U.S. during her husband’s 20-year army career. She was a worldly and street-smart woman who proudly raised three daughters as she packed up her family every 1-to-2 years to relocate to a new service destination. Bessie had a passion for crafting, sewing, and baking. Throughout her life, Bessie always welcomed friends and family members to her home for the holidays. Her brownies, chocolate fudge, oatmeal cookies, southern fried chicken and infamous Easter Lamb

Cake were just a few of her many specialties. Bessie was a faithful member of the Seymour United Methodist Church. She especially enjoyed meeting with friends in her prayer group and leading the prayer chain to help heal and support those that were sick and in need. Bessie will be remembered for the love of her three daughters and by many who knew her throughout her life. She had a big, beautiful smile and always left an impression on everyone she met for her southern drawl, outspoken personality and especially her hilarious phrases, sayings and figure of speech! Her determination and “can do” attitude were enduring qualities that many admired.

In addition to her husband Peter, Bessie is predeceased by her son William Peter, her sister Betty Joyce Curnew of Fayetteville, NC and brother William Olmstead of Ontario California. She leaves behind her three daughters Sherry Greifzu ( Jack) of Oxford, Tina Careddu (Tom) of Bridgton, ME and Tammy Ladyko (Frank) of Oxford, three grandsons John Greifzu, Jr. (Tina) of Darien, James Greifzu of Stamford, Jacob Worobel (Louann) of Port Orchard, WA and three great-grandchildren Elizabeth Ryan Greifzu, John Michael Greifzu, III, and Zya Rizor. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Calling Hours for friends and family will be held at Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour, CT on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Services will be held at the funeral home starting at 11:00 followed by the interment at Mountain Meadows Cemetery, 117 Mountain Road, Seymour. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made in her name to Vitas Healthcare Inpatient Hospice Unit, 56 Franklin St., 4th Floor, Waterbury, CT 06706. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.hullfh.com